SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLMPA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) intends to incorporate Gunnison Sage-Grouse Conservation Measures into Resource Management Plans (RMPs) within the range of the species and prepare an associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). By this notice, the BLM is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until August 18, 2014. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local news media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Programs/wildlife/sage-grouse/GUSG.html. In order to be included in the analysis, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. Comments that are specific to a particular area or land use plan should be identified as such. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria related to Gunnison Sage-Grouse planning effort by any of the following methods: Web site: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Programs/wildlife/sage-grouse/GUSG.html; Email: gusg_amend@blm.gov. Fax: 303-239-3699. Mail: Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, CO 80215. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Colorado State Office (see address above); the Colorado Southwest District Office, 2465 South Townsend Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401; and Utah Canyon County District Office, 82 East Dogwood, Moab, UT 84532.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leigh D. Espy, Project Manager, via telephone: 303-239-3801; at the Colorado State Office (see address above); or via email: lespy@blm.gov. You may contact Ms. Espy to have your name added to our mailing list. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In January 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published its proposed listing and proposed critical habitat decision for the Gunnison Sage-Grouse indicating that listing of the species as ``Endangered'' was warranted. The inadequacy of regulatory mechanisms to conserve the Gunnison Sage-Grouse and its habitat was identified as a significant threat in the FWS preliminary finding on the petition to list the Gunnison Sage-Grouse as an endangered species. The FWS has proposed conservation measures to be included in RMPs as the principal mechanism to assure adequate conservation of the Gunnison Sage-Grouse and its habitat on public lands. In view of the identified threats to the Gunnison Sage-Grouse, the BLM proposes incorporating consistent objectives and conservation measures to protect Gunnison Sage-Grouse and its habitat into RMPs by July 2016. The BLM plans to prepare an EIS to analyze proposed amendments within the range of the species for the following RMPs: Colorado [cir] San Luis RMP (1991) [cir] Gunnison RMP (1993) [cir] San Juan/San Miguel RMP (1985) (currently under revision in the Tres Rios and Uncompahgre RMPs) [cir] Uncompahgre Basin RMP (1989) (currently under revision in the Dominquez-Escalante National Conservation Area [NCA] RMP and Uncompahgre RMP) [cir] Grand Junction RMP (1987) (Currently under revision in the Grand Junction RMP and the Dominquez-Escalante NCA RMP) [cir] Gunnison Gorge NCA RMP (2004) [cir] Canyons of the Ancients National Monument RMP (2010) Utah [cir] Moab RMP (2008)